I reincarnated as one of the Three Stooges in a fantasy world.

Chapter 8

New Magic

Tolen drank water after the shock he had experienced. He had never thought that someone who always tormented others instead of training would ask for help. Tolen took another sip and saw Enrico with a slightly arrogant look.

'He still has a bit of arrogance, but it's clear he's different.'

Enrico looked at Tolen. 'I hope he doesn't doubt me too much... damn, I still need to seem like the original for a while longer.'

"Alright, so you want me to teach you fire magic. But I ask, why would I teach you some of my techniques?"

"First, I don't want you to teach me your techniques. I want to learn about fire magic..."

Tolen looked to the side. 'Actually, I'd rather not teach him anything. Besides, there's going to be a fight between him and Kai, and to be honest, I'd rather Kai win.'

"And second, if you don't help me, I'll ask Lady Serenya to deal with you."

Tolen froze and looked at Enrico, who had an evil smile. He lowered his head. 'Damn it.'

"I accept."

"Excellent choice."

Enrico smiled while Tolen looked down. 'I had no choice.'

---

Technique: Scorching Flower — Flame Branching

"Focus, Enrico. Fire is like a feeling: if you divide it, it doesn't disappear… it just spreads."

Those were Tolen's words when Enrico first tried to manipulate fire magic beyond its raw, simple form.

Tolen watched and began to explain.

"Now, to do that technique you mentioned… First, the Generation of the Fireball."

That was a technique he saw a side character use against Valença, but they were easily defeated later on. Of course, other mages used it too, and Valença herself did as well, but it was never properly explained in the story—and there were things he couldn't remember. He remembered ninety percent, but not how most spells were created, only the most important ones.

The magical fire punch he created had also appeared in the original story, but it was a base form of the fireball, so it was easy.

'I'm already used to this. Focus... condense the heat... create the ignition point... stabilize the form...'

The fireball formed easily. 'Now comes the hard part.'

Now came the technique's secret: instead of launching the entire fireball, the mage had to fracture the internal structure of the magic. With a push of intent and a delicate twist of mana, they made the heat vibrate until it reached the breaking point, and Tolen continued to explain.

"You need to fragment it but keep the connections without letting any part fall apart."

'I think I got it.'

When Enrico fired the fireball, instead of shooting it, it expanded and burst in midair like a flaming flower. Each petal—or rather, each small fireball—gained its own trajectory. Where there had been one, there were now five or six—smaller, but still dangerous.

"That was good. It took four tries. Now, to gain directional control, you'll have to reach Circle One."

In this technique, when complete, the flames spread at different angles, with a slight delay between each shot. Directional control requires reading the battlefield—if done correctly, it can surround enemies or hit multiple targets by directing where they go.

"If I can guide three of them, that's enough...ugh."

Enrico shifted slightly to the side. 'Relax, this only happens the first time.'

For a mage like Enrico, still at the weakest stage of magic, using this technique was like running a marathon with tied lungs.

Enrico's mana consumption for this technique was equal to three simple fireballs.

Enrico leaned against the wall while Tolen watched him.

This technique wasn't common among Zero Circle fire mages, but Enrico knew... if he wanted to surpass the limits of his reincarnation, he needed to use every resource he had.

'Even if it means burning my own body in exchange for a fragment of strength, I have to do it to survive in the future.'

"Well, I think that's it. At least I learned something new for when I have more mana. If you want more help, you can come talk to me."

As he turned around, Enrico grabbed his shoulder. 'What does this guy want now?' Tolen stood frozen, sweating.

'I can't let him leave. I need to make sure he doesn't say anything to the student council president. I have to stay with him until tomorrow, during the match.'

Enrico turned and spoke seriously to Tolen.

"Tonight, you're sleeping in my room."

Tolen immediately froze in horror.

[Wait... do you like men?]

Enrico looked at the system with a confused face.

"Of course no—wait..."

Enrico put his hand on his chin. 'Well, if they're feminine enough...'

[W-what, pff... then do you like Elian, by chance? He's pretty feminine-looking.]

'Hmm... maybe.'

[You're not serious, are you?]

'Of course not... or maybe I am. What do you think?'

Enrico seemed to hold back a laugh.

[Enrico, you idiot, idiot, idiot…]

After that, the system disappeared, and Tolen, who had been paralyzed, returned to normal.

"I don't like men."

"I don't like men either... your type, at least... I prefer more feminine ones."

"I need to escape."

Tolen tried to flee but was held back by Enrico, who was holding back laughter. 'Why is it so funny to mess with them?'

---

The next morning, Tolen stretched on the way to the training arena. Yesterday, he had slept on the floor with a sheet in Enrico's room and barely slept out of suspicion.

"Why didn't you tell me the reason for that 'invitation' was because you didn't want me telling anyone?"

"Because it was funny to see your reaction."

"I hate you."

"And you're in my top four favorite people."

Tolen looked at Enrico expressionless, who simply smiled. 'Why do I feel like punching him right now?'

They stopped at the door and entered. Some students were seated in the stands, others standing. Caelan was sitting with Elian in the distance, and Serenya waved at Enrico.

"Enrico, over here! We came to see you humiliate that peasant!"

Enrico approached, dragging Tolen with him.

"There are a lot of people."

"Of course, most of them are peasants who want to see your downfall."

Tolen muttered as he was forced to sit with them, while Elian looked at him.

"And what's this library rat doing here?"

Tolen looked at him and remembered Enrico's words: "I prefer more feminine ones", then placed a hand on Elian's shoulder.

"Good luck."

Elian looked at him confused while Enrico turned away, trying to contain the laughter that almost burst out.

Serenya, who hadn't said anything until now, saw all that and focused her gaze on Enrico.

"Don't lose."

Enrico smiled at her, and she quickly turned her face away, hiding a smile.

[Are you sure you can do it?]

The door opened, and Kai and Valença entered with Elaris Wyntherion Velaryndel, the student council president and also the princess hidden by the Elven Kingdom from enemies hunting the royal bloodline.

"I'm sure."

[This will be a tough fight.]

Enrico looked at the system for a second, then at Kai, who was talking to Elaris. 'Looks like she's telling him what she saw about me.'

'If I want the protagonist to grow, I can't lose. If I do, he'll stay the same as he was at the start of the story—and I need him to grow fast.'

[I know, but—]

'Don't worry. I'll defeat him quickly.'

[...]

Enrico walked confidently and stopped in the middle of the arena.

[Seriously?]

'Yes, just trust me.'

Enrico's eyes gleamed, and he smiled as Kai stepped onto the arena, and the two stared each other down.

'Thirty seconds will be enough.'